News Summary

Independent Canadian television stations are urging the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to enforce the Online News Act, compelling Meta to compensate them for sharing their news content on Facebook and Instagram. The Local Independent Television Station Group (LITS), representing about 15 English and French TV stations across Canada, has filed a formal complaint with the CRTC. They argue that since the Online News Act came into effect in 2023, Meta has been periodically removing Canadian news from its platforms but continues to benefit from the news content. Unlike Google, which reached a $100-million annual agreement with the federal government to exempt itself from the bargaining process, Meta has maintained a blackout of Canadian news while still profiting from it, according to the broadcasters. The government is reportedly in discussions with Meta to bring Canadian news back to its platforms, concerned about the potential spread of disinformation as users turn to other sites. The CRTC has confirmed receipt of the filing but has not commented further.